Steve Holland has told crewealex.net that he is not resigned to losing his 15-goal hit-man Nicky Maynard this summer. The club's first team coach is hoping to retain the services of the young striker as the fulcrum of his new-look side going into next season.

Maynard's superb form in the second half of the campaign has seen him linked in the media with a number of bigger clubs, but Holland feels that the 21-year-old would benefit from a full season here at Gresty Road.

A niggling hamstring problem restricted him to 39 appearances during 2006/07 and of course he suffered that horrific broken leg and ankle ligament damage on the opening day of the season against Brighton. The injury kept him out until December but his return to form certainly played a major part in seeing Crewe starve off relegation on the final day.

Holland has been full of praise for a young player he has worked closely with when in charge of the Academy, but he still feels there is more to come from the Winsford-born Maynard.

Steve told the club's official web-site: "I am not resigned to losing Nicky. From a personal point of view, it wouldn't be good for the team and the one we are trying to build for next season.

"Equally important, Nicky has yet to complete a full season in the Football League. I think he has played just over 50 odd games over the last two seasons, so there is still room for improvement in him.

"I would have thought it would be beneficial for Nicky to get a full season under his belt here with us to really show the potential that is so obviously there.

He added: "Everyone here is quite clear that he will one day, go on to bigger and better things. We hope that will be the case with a number of our younger players, but from a personal perspective I still think it is a little too early."